Frequently Answered Questions

How common are slips and falls?

Falls have replaced automobile accidents as the leading reason people receive emergency room care. National Safety Council (NSC).

Falls are the number one cause of death for people over the age of 75, according to the Itasca, Ill.-based National Safety Council (NSC).

More than one-third of adults ages 65 years and older fall each year.

In 2001, more than 1.6 million seniors were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries and nearly 388,000 were hospitalized.

How big a problem and expense are work related slips and falls?

The 2005 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index indicates that falls were the second leading cause of all workplace injuries in 2003, accounting for 13.7 percent of total direct costs associated with workplace injuries, or $6.9 billion. Additionally, the National Safety Council estimates that worker compensation and medical costs associated with employee slip and fall accidents are approximately $70 billion per year.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips and falls constitute the majority of workplace accidents. The costs associated these is a growing problem, resulting in millions of dollars in paid claims, increased insurance costs, and lawsuits.

Approximately 30% of all workers' compensation claims result from a slip or fall.

The average slip and fall claim is $4,000. The average cost to defend against a slip and fall lawsuit is $50,000.

How serious can trips and falls be?

Falls can cause serious injuries such as severe head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, sprains, and strains to muscles and even death.

Falls are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.

Of those who fall, 20% to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries such as hip fractures or head traumas that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death.

Approximately 3% to 5% of older adult falls cause fractures. Based on the 2000 census, this translates to 360,000 to 480,000 fall-related fractures each year.

Most slips, trip and fall incidents are preventable with general precautions and safety measures.